There is a new book out called unChristian that sounds quite intriguing. (Mostly, because it backs up all of my beliefs on Christianity.)
Here is the central thesis of the book:
Kinnaman, president of the Barna Institute, was inspired to write this book when Lyons (of the Fermi Project) commissioned him to do extensive research on what young Americans think about Christianity. Lyons had a gut-level sense that something was desperately wrong, and three years of research paints exactly that picture.
The generations that include late teens to early 30-somethings) believe Christians are judgmental, antihomosexual, hypocritical, too political and sheltered. Rather than simply try to do a PR face-lift, Kinnaman looks at ways in which churches' activities actually may have been unchristian and encourages a return to a more biblical Christianity, a faith that not only focuses on holiness but also loves, accepts and works to understand the world around it.
I have not read the book, as I usually only read books when I am stuck in an airport with nothing to do. However, in my four years in DC, I have met quite a lot of young Christians who group up attending a fundamentalist church. And while many of them still identify with Christ, they do not identify with the church.
If you want to reach the Future Tithers of America, then you are going to need to make the church more about doing something than just avoiding sin. In my mind, in today's church, holiness is overrated, and compassion is underrated.
First, Christian organizations are often the first on the scene providing help and supplies to victims. For example, in New Orleans, the Salvation Army is was present far before any government agency.
As far as being judgmental, I have found liberals to be the most judgmental of all. For example, if someone disagrees with homosexuality liberals will have red-hot branding iron ready to brand people with an opinion as “homophobic”.
For me, I’ve had friends that were queer (what they often call themselves) and even a manager once. I believe people should be free to do whatever they choose to. My problem is when gay activists convince government to shove the homosexual lifestyle down the throats of individuals and businesses – and in doing so, take away the freedom of choice.
It’s been decades since I’ve been in a church so I’m not really defending Christianity, but I would challenge any liberal to offer a list of liberal churches that have out-given and been more charitable than Christian organizations.
AND – what is wrong with being judgmental? Have liberals now made that a “hate crime”? How hypocritical – because I have found this post to be extremely judgmental against a certain religion.
BTW – if the author of the book wishes to return to a more biblical Christianity then our country should return back to enforcing the death penalty and making people be responsible for themselves!
Brian, I actually find myself agreeing with you to an extent. I agree that it’s okay to judge others. I do it every day on this blog.
And I’m not ripping on all Christian organizations, but I am ripping on churches. And the fact that it’s been decades since you’ve been to church, suggests that maybe there is something wrong with the way today’s modern church communicates.
Brian?
With that modification I’d agree. There are many problems in Christianity. Before my time there were divisions because (mainly) of doctrinal differences. Such doctrinal differences still divide Christianity into its various “faiths”. Anyone going into a church and being recognized as a “new-comer” will sooner-than-later be asked “Oh, what church did you attend”.
Later, in the last 3 decades or so, the profiteers entered the scene. TV “evangelists” using the growing satellite accessibility found a new money stream to tap into. The more successful ones are the most phony, and are nothing more than “promise mills” – telling the gullible that they need to “give to God” and God will give to them. They always make promises on things they can’t deliver. When people realize this, then the lines change to things like “it’s God’s will” or “God is testing you like he tested Job”.
However, such people pervert the Christian religion for their own gain – and believe me, there is billions to be gained. Some even have their own private satellite systems.
Might sound weird but I have the most respect for Christians like the Amish. They are known throughout the world but they never had a radio or TV network. The best know are also the most giving. Again, the Salvation Army never had a radio or TV station and they are known around the world.
The profiteers that invaded Christianity are the evil ones, not Christianity.
The true message of Christ is powerful. The rest is just greed.
I find that most people in my (admittedly ancient) generation have an idea of what being a Christian should look like. Every once in a while when someone finds out I’m a Christian, they will allow themselves to vent about Christians. I will often hear “My neighbor/co-worker Mr. X says he’s a Christian and he _____________ (insert bad behavior).”
About the only response I can give is, “Well then he isn’t acting like a Christian, is he?” And if I continue to be a good example of what a Christian is like, one person may be drawn to Christ.
Now whether they will be drawn to the church or not…. ???
Sounds like a good read. (Your link is broken!)
No question but there are things wrong in ‘church’ today. I sometimes marvel at how many church buildings there are! A large percentage of folks would think the church IS a building!
When you go inside, look at the layout. All the seats in the auditorium face in one direction, toward the raised platform or podium. Stop and think about non verbal communication, and what does that sort of layout speak of? The clear message is “sit down and shutup”. Is it any wonder people get tired of it?
Why do we go to services? To hear a preacher? To see friends? To pay tithes? These are things I’ve been asking myself for awhile now. What does the scripture say about meetings? I’d be interested to hear what people have to say. For my own thoughts, it seems the early church met mainly to celebrate the Lord’s supper together, have prayer and share fellowship with each other. A communal (not corporate) meal was eaten,(1Cor. 11) and everyone had opportunity to share.(1 Cor. 14:26)
I doubt the early church would recognize what we do today.
[Comment ID #30817 Will Be Quoted Here]
Sorry bout that. Link fixed.
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whatHEsaid:
The church is certainly not a building, and hasn’t been downgraded to simply the meeting of a clique’. We are instead considered the Bride and Body of Christ.
Although the church today has been significantly modified, there is still significance in how services are conducted. We shouldn’t discouraged others, nor be discouraged to gather together to worship The Creator.
Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Onestar,
Since you say the church today has been significantly modified, how do you know such meetings don’t fall into the apostle Paul’s catagory of meetings that” do more harm than good? ” (1 Corinthians 11:17 NIV)
“Leaders” who refuse to follow plain New Testament meeting guidelines don’t deserve to be followed!
[Comment ID #30840 Will Be Quoted Here]
Did you just say what I think you said? If church can’t be done according to 1st century guidelines for “meetings” then the pastors should be shunned?
Lucy, I think you have some explainin’ to do!
Folks, time to do the research:
Pagan Christianity. A great deal of what we now take as “Church” would be completely familiar to the first century church… as PAGAN!
Right down to the sequence, the hall and the sermon. These were not the activities of believers.
–p
I grew up in one of those fundamental churches. it’s so true that they preach on nothing but on avoiding sin. More specifically its all about avoiding sin outside of the church’s standards. I heard this once. It was said about my father, but he’s the stereotype of fundamentalists. “They can tell you about the greatness of God, but they don’t anything about the goodness of God”